Icestar and Blossom

Chapter 15

Iceblossom yawned as she awoke. Coalfur slept sound asleep beside her, his warm pelt keeping her warm.

It had been one moon since the two had run away together. Her wounds had fully recovered by now, allowing her to be in better shape. After long days and nights of searching, they had found a cave near a beautiful waterfall that flowed into a river. Prey entered their territory willingly, providing them with endless food.

"Good morning," Coalfur slowly said. He rose to his feet, stretching.

Iceblossom gave him a gentle lick. "Good morning," she replied. She stood nervously, not sure what to say. She had been keeping a secret from Coalfur for awhile, and today, she had decided to tell him.

"Is everything alright?" Coalfur asked, seeing Iceblossom deep in thought.

Iceblossom nodded. "Coalfur," she spoke, hesitating for a moment. "I'm expecting kits..."

Coalfur's eyes widened. "Oh, Iceblossom, that's wonderful!" he exclaimed, nuzzling her. Iceblossom smiled and rubbed against him, glad he was happy to be a father.

"I'll hunt. Get some more rest," Coalfur instructed.

Iceblossom nodded, laying down. She was glad to be expecting kits, but horror filled her at the same time. What if she raised them like her mother had raised her? What if she couldn't protect them? She stopped her thoughts, deciding to rest.

Iceblossom closed her eyes, slowly falling asleep. She dreamt she was in StarClan in a vast meadow. A butterfly flew through the air, landing on a bright pink flower. The golden grass swayed in the soft wind, and Iceblossom smiled. Seeing something out of the corner of her eye, she turned, seeing a white figure come closer.

"Iceblossom. Listen to me," the cat urged.

Iceblossom recognized that voice anywhere. "Mother?"

Stonecloud gazed at her. A smile was not lit on her face, but instead, she held a serious face. "Having a mate and raising kits is not the life for you. Do you not remember what you were told? You must rebuild IceClan. Leave Coalfur and your kits. Be a leader. It is your job, Iceblossom. It's what StarClan has chosen you to do..."

Iceblossom growled. "Why should I listen to you?!" she hissed. "You did nothing but hate me all your life!"

"I apologize again, Iceblossom," Stonecloud sighed. "What more do you want? Perhaps it would be best if I show you what will happen if you continue down this path..."

Before Iceblossom could reply, she was transported to a dark part of the forest. Iceblossom gasped, seeing a vision take place in front of her. It was herself, chasing a young kit. She screamed for the young kit to return.

A fox grabbed the kit, and the kit erupted in screams. Iceblossom watched as she saw herself attacking the fox, the fox turning towards her. Iceblossom suddenly did not see herself in the vision anymore, but she gasped, realizing she was now part of the vision.

The fox growled at her, making Iceblossom erupt in a scream. Her kit yowled back, screaming for its mother. "Help!' it squealed.

Iceblossom woke up, panting. Her heart beat loudly against her chest, and she shook in fear. It would never happen though. Stonecloud was telling nothing but lies to scare Iceblossom.

Coalfur padded in the den, turning towards Iceblossom. "Hey," he said.

Iceblossom shook. "H-Hi," she said, her legs wobbling as she stood up.

Coalfur stared at her. "Are you okay?" he asked. Before she could reply, she lost consciousness, falling onto her mate.

Iceblossom awoke in StarClan once more. Before she could say anything, visions filled her mind. It was her being leader, her leaving her kits and Coalfur behind. She shut her eyes tight, trying to block out all these fake memories.

Spotting her mother in the distance, Iceblossom growled. Her mother had gone too far this time. She let out a yowl and sprung at Stonecloud, knocking her to the ground.

"I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU!' her mother hissed, throwing Iceblossom against a tree.

Iceblossom yowled in pain as she hit the tree, struggling to get up. Her mother stared at her with caring eyes.

"Oh, Iceblossom," her mother began. "I never meant to--"

Iceblossom cut the she-cat off. "Coalfur is the only one who ever payed attention to me and listened to me! You're nothing to me anymore!" she hissed.

Iceblossom opened her eyes, gazing up into Coalfur's.

"Iceblossom, are you okay?" Coalfur asked in fear. "You collapsed on me."

Iceblossom groaned, sore from where she had hit the tree. She got up, letting out a small nod. "Just a dream from StarClan, that's all," she murmured.

She left to go hunting, leaving Coalfur in the den speechless.